Australia Applauds Indonesia’s First Hydrogen Refueling Station

JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS— A delegation from Australia visited PLN Indonesia Power’s (Persero) hydrogen refueling station (HRS) in Senayan, Jakarta, marking a significant milestone in Indonesia’s clean energy efforts.

PLN, or Perusahaan Listrik Negara, is the Indonesian state-owned electricity company. It is responsible for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity across Indonesia. PLN plays a crucial role in the country’s energy sector, focusing on providing reliable electricity and promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

PLN Indonesia Power’s President Director, Edwin Nugraha Putra, emphasized the company’s dedication to advancing clean energy solutions. “We are committed to reducing emissions through innovative energy alternatives,” said Putra. “Our hydrogen refueling station exemplifies our efforts in the transportation sector.”

The transportation sector accounts for 44% of Indonesia’s total carbon emissions. Hydrogen, as a low-emission energy source, is pivotal in Indonesia’s strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. The HRS supports this goal by providing a sustainable fuel option for vehicles, significantly reducing carbon footprints.

The visit from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) of the Australian Embassy was part of a study tour. Besides the HRS, the delegation explored PLN’s hydrogen generator and hydrogen center, which serve as training hubs for hydrogen technology.

David Fredericks, Secretary of DCCEEW, lauded PLN Indonesia Power’s achievements. “The development of this hydrogen refueling station is a remarkable accomplishment,” Fredericks remarked. “It demonstrates PLN IP’s commitment to integrating hydrogen into Indonesia’s renewable energy future.”

Edwin highlighted the advanced technology used in the Senayan HRS. “Our system features sophisticated sensors that detect leaks and automatically shut off gas flow if an issue arises, ensuring safety and efficiency,” he explained.

The hydrogen for the Senayan HRS is sourced from PLN’s 22 Green Hydrogen Plants (GHPs). These facilities produce 203 tons of green hydrogen annually, with 75 tons allocated for operational needs and 128 tons for hydrogen vehicles. This capacity can support 438 hydrogen-powered cars annually, assuming each car travels 100 km per day.

Hydrogen fuel not only supports clean energy transitions but also offers significant economic benefits. It can save Indonesia up to 1.59 million liters of imported fuel per year and reduce emissions by 4.15 million tons of CO2 annually.

Edwin credited the success of the HRS to the transformative leadership of Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir. “Our focus remains on renewable energy and carbon emission reduction to meet our 2060 net zero target,” Edwin stated. “This aligns with PLN’s vision to become a world-class company in the Fortune Global 500. (Uki Ruknuddin)